ITGEN SOLUTIONS

Technophobia is a fear of technology. It is a condition that certainly exists in schools, often among teachers who are expected to use technology effectively in cross-curricular activities and in the new computing curriculum. While you might assume the condition is more prevalent among educators who are less “tech-savvy”, from personal experience, it affects those who are digitally literate too. And with more and more technology being used in schools, technophobia is something that teachers need to overcome or risking falling behind the times – and behind their students. Here are tips for getting rid of the fear: Don’t be put off by terminology  There are so many acronyms and unfamiliar words in the technological world.  This new “language” is overwhelming at first. However, jot words down and you’ll soon realise there aren’t as many as you think. It won’t be long before you know your “augmented reality” from your “m-learning”.   Don’t attempt to...

The Internet Digital citizenship education is too geared towards warning young people about the dangers of the internet, so we need to develop a new approach to digital literacy. Today, children are largely living their lives online. So, how have we allowed our schools’  curricula  to fall so far out of step with the world that we are not fully preparing young people for this reality? However, the bulk of the classroom material available was (and still is) on  cybersafety  and digital citizenship. In other words: rules about what not to do online, and rules about how to be a well-behaved user of the internet. A holistic approach Knowledge and awareness of the crucial role of the internet in our society, and how we should interact most appropriately with digital technology, is key to helping students thrive, both in social, work, and academic environments. Blocking, filtering, and scare tactics are certainly not constructive a...

#BeInspired

Technology can be a great time saving tool for teachers, if you ask the right questions Reducing teacher workload is, to my mind, a complex issue that doesn’t have just one answer – if only – but instead needs to be approached in many ways. And tech could be one tool that could prove particularly useful. So, how might this look? Well,  one of the big ways that technology can help teachers is in assessment and data analysis. Whether it’s fast, formative, ready-made assessment tools like Socrative, Kahoot or Quick Key, or full-on tracking and assessment systems, capturing data digitally can potentially make analyzing it and turning it into something meaningful and useful a whole lot easier. Like any tool, though, it is how it’s used that is the real key to this. What tech can also do is to make it easier for teachers to share stuff – and we have a lot to share. From planning and resources, to ideas and vital info, I’m not sure where I’d be without it all. Cloud ...

Five ways to buy tech well Follow these simple tips to ensure the software you purchase will be cost-effective and achieve the outcome you’re looking for When it comes to educational apps and software, there are more options out there than you can shake a stick at. So how do you know if you should go ahead and download? Ask yourself these five questions. 1. Have you clearly identified what your pupils need? Before you even go near the App Store or Google your options, make sure you know what it is you’re trying to achieve. Is there an issue you need to address? Phonics in Year 1? The teaching of programming in key stage 2? Writing for pupils with SEND? If you know exactly what problem you’re trying to solve and you find an app or piece of software that seems to address the issue or tackle the gap, then that’s a good sign. If you’re not sure what you’re trying to improve, then should you be spending money on the app anyway? 2. Hav...

Increasingly, schools are moving to provide students with their own laptop computer, netbook, or digital tablet. Schools purchased more than 23 million devices for classroom use in 2013 and 2014 alone. In recent years, iPads and then Chromebooks (inexpensive Web-based laptops) have emerged as the devices of choice for many schools. The two biggest factors spurring the rise in 1-to-1 student computing have been new mandates that state standardized tests be delivered online and the widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards. Generally, the hope is that putting devices in the hands of students will help with some or all of the following goals: Allowing teachers and software to deliver more personalized content and lessons to students, while allowing students to learn at their own pace and ability level; Helping students to become technologically skilled and literate and thus better prepared for modern workplaces; Empowering students to do more...

Get clear on what matters  By getting rid of what doesn't.

Theme : Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers.                                          World Teachers’ Day , held annually on October 5 since 1994, commemorates   teachers ’ organizations worldwide. Its aim is to mobilize support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers. According to  UNESCO , World Teachers’ Day education  and development Pupils at ITGEN partner school undergoing ICT training It represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to Si nce 1994, World Teachers’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the  1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers , which celebrated its 50 th anniversary during last year’s edition. The 1966 Recommendation constitutes the...

Today’s Classrooms Should Be About Flexible Teaching—Not Furniture  “Flexible Furniture.” The idea is that, instead of assigning students in traditional rows of desks, they would have a choice as to where they sit. Here’s the thing: With some craftiness, it is possible to give your classroom a makeover without forking over thousands of dollars. Fifteen years ago, when I was a middle school English teacher, I introduced flexible seating to my class, before it became the latest buzzword. It began with a few small throw rugs, a few beach chairs that had seen some better days, and a beanbag chair that I begged a local store to donate. Since then, I have outfitted my classroom a little at a time using Amazon, Ikea, Five Below, and DonorsChoose all for around $250. I make sure to include my students in the design process and allow them to move the seating about the room as they see fit.  Focusing on decorations and interior design alone is missing the point, howe...

The New search engine  Kiddle  plans to display only kid-appropriate results. The first one to three results will be results vetted by editors for their kid-friendliness, the next four to seven will be websites in simple language, and those after that will be websites filtered by Google safe search. Parents can also block keywords and sites for their children's Google accounts. The search engine, which is not affiliated with Google, says it will not collect any personal information and will clear its logs every 24 hours. Not everyone, however, is excited for the new product. Re ports  have been that the search blocks sites that may be of use to children. For instance, children searching Kiddle will not be able to see sites related to LGBT identities and issues. CORRECTION, March 1, 2016:  A previous version of this article said that Kiddle was a product of Google. UPDATE March 1, 2016 : Digging deeper, we've found ...

Today, October 1, 2017, is being marked all over Nigeria as the fifty-seventh anniversary since Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule. Some parts of the country were under British rule for many decades prior to the formal formation of Nigeria in 1900, and while we had numerous empires, kingdoms, autonomous villages and a Caliphate prior to 1900, we did not have one country called Nigeria until the Brits cobbled one together. This anniversary is being marked in a low-key manner by all three tiers of government partly because of the poor economy, partly because of insecurity in all parts of the country and also partly because 57 is not a significant landmark such as 10, 25, 50 or 100 years.   On October 1,1960, the flag of British Colonial Nigeria was lowered and new flag was raised. After a century of British influence, the region we know today as Nigeria became a commonwealth realm. This made the new country a sovereign state, and gave it the ...